Chapter 1

"Sora, its almost time!" Mia called into the dressing room.

"I'm coming!" The young Kaleido star called back. Sora Naegino needed to be on stage.

She loved the stage more than anything, the stage was her life. Hearing the audience cheer, their joy bringing her the most happiness. The audience was the life, the very spirit of the stage, speaking of spirits, Where's Fool? The spirit of the stage was nowhere in sight, he's probably trying to sneak a peak into the other dressing rooms. Sora thought.

A smile spread on her face as she saw the lights of the stage and she ran forward.

"Well done, Sora!" The crew called off stage after yet another successful performance. She smiled and thanked everybody for their hard work, her partner already out of sight.

"H-Here, Sora," Said Billy, blushing profusely as he handed her a towel. Billy was the newest worker at the stage. He seemed shy but very sweet. He probably had the bluest eyes Sora had ever seen, which complemented his blond hair and basketball player's frame.

"Thank you!" Sora smiled and continued to her dressing room, noticing some flowers on her vanity. They were roses, almost a purple color like her hair. There was no card to indicate who they were from, she could only wonder. She began to undress.

"Well done today," said a smooth voice.

"Fool!" She shrieked, throwing a makeup brush at the spirit, knocking him off of his perch.

"Why so violent?" He rubbed his head. "I only came to see if you needed help with your zipper." He added seemingly innocent.

"Nice try, but no." she retorted, "get out."

"Nice flowers, who are they from?" He continued.

"I don't know, now please let me change in peace." She said exasperated. The spirit finally listened and disappeared, but peace wasn't very close.

"LET'S GO NAEGINO!" Yelled May as she burst into the room, already changed out of her Odile costume.

"May! What's going on?"

The Chinese acrobat had a knowing grin plastered across her face, her eyes showed an excited spark. Her expression said, "You'll see…"

"Congratulations on another successful show!" Toasted Kalos. The owner of the stage was in an unusually good mood, he kept glancing over to his girlfriend Sarah. The diva just smiled in return.

"Congratulations!" called the rest of the cast. They had all decided to rent the yacht in celebration of the reopening of "Swan Lake." The young star, however, was lost in thought.

It was a beautiful clear night, with only a few clouds. The moon was full, casting its light on the water, creating a beautiful sight. Sora had barely noticed, all could think of was the roses she had earlier received. Who could have sent them? She wondered, and could think of no one, they hadn't even left a card. She turned to join the others, only to see her partner walking towards her, though walking would be an insult.

Leon Oswald was the man who made the most graceful ballerinas envious, every fiber of his being pretty much screamed "Nobility" right in your face. The gentle breeze tugged playfully at his long silver locks, which softly reflected the moon's light. His sharp violet eyes locked onto hers.

Sora couldn't help but blush a little. She had to turn away to avoid drooling. Who wouldn't, especially if they were being stared at by a guy that made Adonis look like Donald Trump. The wind picked up a little. The boat rocked gently.

"A beautiful night isn't it?" She offered, hoping to break the silence.

"I suppose," He replied, looking out onto the water. Two words was probably the longest answer she'd get. Leon hadn't gotten the nickname "the Grim Reaper" for no reason. He was cold to most people and spoke very little, though he had softened some since he and Sora began Starring in "Swan Lake." He still rarely showed emotion, but Sora could tell he enjoyed being on the stage, no matter how he led on. He still barely opened up to her, even after being partners for almost two years.

They lapsed back into silence, Sora uncomfortable, Leon forever wearing his poker face. She shivered. "You are cold." Stated Leon, breaking the silence.

"Oh! I'm fine!" Stammered Sora, she had worn a long sleeved shirt that night but the wind had grown cold. She shivered again.

"You should go inside." The Frenchman said, more of an order than a request.

"I'm fine." Sora replied.

"No." He stated firmly. "You will catch a cold."

"SORA!" shrieked May, running out onto the deck. She was excited to the point of bordering hysteria.

"May-san?" she jumped, standing straight as a board. "What is it?"

"Kalos just asked Sarah to marry him!" She screamed.

"What?" Sora couldn't even imagine Kalos asking for a pen, let alone getting down on one knee and proposing!

May ran back inside and Sora glanced back at Leon who almost looked surprised. "I guess we should go congratulate them." She said as she turned her back to him and headed towards the door. One of the corners of his mouth twitched as he fought the triumphant grin threatening to place itself on his face. He won the argument, even if it was indirectly.

Suddenly, the boat rocked violently and Sora saw the deck quickly rising to meet her. She closed her eyes and waited for the impact. A set of strong arms wrapped tightly around her, stopping her fall. She looked up to see that her face was only inches away from Leon's. He was close enough for her to feel his warm breath on her face. He had caught her. Her cheeks begin to turn a bright crimson as she noticed they're position; his face was still the stone mask it usually was. She could see the blue specks in his eyes. His warmth stopped her shivers.

"Are you alright?" He asked hoarsely.

" I-I-I'm fine!" She stuttered, releasing herself from his arms and quickly walking inside, trying to hide her crimson cheeks.

He stared after her, unaware of the eyes watching him.